What Really Matters in Life

Introduction:

DT: Paul places his life in perspective even as he is imprisoned.

Aim: We will recognize that our life is not sufficient without Christ.

Pa

I. Is It My Self-Confidence?

Philippians 3:4 ESV

though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more:

Paul proposes that his accomplishments give him and avenue to be confident in the flesh. He pushes the mater by comparing his position of rationale to others. Paul says no this does not matter.

Truth is you can be up today and down tomorrow.

so what really matters?

II. Is It My Heritage?

Philippians 3:5–6 ESV

circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.

Paul’s heritage, education, religious status were all worth bragging about . They were all resume worthy. In the flesh he was well accomplished. Paul could say he was on the track to be elevated by men. But that was all on the surface.

v. 6, Paul explains that he valued his rituals and routines that were according to the law. He went to the temple and he persecuted the church because of it.

Application: sometimes things we thing matter really don’t matter at all.

So what really matters . . .

III. Christ Matters!

Philippians 3:7–11 ESV

But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

Paul says that none of what he has done or accomplished is worthy without glorifying Christ. Only what you do for Christ will last.

Paul teaches that all of his personal and physical accomplishments are worthless. They are nothing to him. They are nothing in comparison to Christ. He says, he has thrown them away so that they won’t impede his relationship with Christ.

v.9 Righteousness is not predicated upon ritual and routine but upon his faith in the work of Jesus Christ.